why to buy a shepherd, instead of a doberman?

I have limited experience with Dobe's ... but these are the differences I notice:

1.) They are not as trustworthy off lead. They have tunnel vision when there is something they want to chase - and that becomes more important than pleasing a master!
2.) Terribly hard headed (doesn't care as much about pleasing you - but don't take that as meaning they don't love you as much!) My Dobe mix will listen when it benefits him.
3.) Excellent family dog! Loyal, tolerant and caring of children (not saying you should leave any dog alone with any child), protective, very loving with his family.
4.) Scary quick learning! Very bright - but I guess GSD's are also
I"ll think of more I"m sure ....

OK, this is just my opinion.
I've never owned a Doby but I've know people who have. Maybe it's a fluke but the ones I've known seem to be more high strung.
A shepherd is so versitile, it can do it all, but the shedding as you know is constant.
If I was to get another breed I would go with a Rottie. They are loyal, protective, family oriented and are real big sucks to the ones they love. Just love the personality of the dogs.
But my 3 girls might have something to say about that!

hi

first, let me applaud you for doing your research early

i currently own both gsds and a dobe, and i have handled both in the past; hands down, i'd take a gsd over a dobe in a heartbeat; my gsds are much more focused on me and really go out of their ways to be with me and to please me

i have a dobe whom i love very much; but, he is more detached from me than the gsds are; he is much more into himself and interested in those things that interest him; he's a tough dog, w/both dominant and aggressive tendencies, so i have no complaints in the working dog area; but he is less interested in working for me (and i've seen this before in other dobes) and more interested in working for himself...in other words, what's in it for him, not me

i always wanted a dobe and now that i've got him, he'll be my last; i'm sticking to the all around work dog, the gsd

btw, i don't think a dobe is any more dangerous than a gsd; they are a trustworthy breed; but, i will tell you, they are harder to read than a gsd is; most people are afraid of my dobe b/c he has a shadow over his red points on his face, so he looks really fearsome; even my vet is nervous around this dog; he's quicker to challenge me than any other gsd i've ever had and has in fact bitten me; he keeps me on my toes, lol; i love him and he'll have a home w/me til he dies, but after him, it will be gsds only, even if they do shed an entire dog a day

I've had many, many Dobes over 25 years(about 300). Needless to say, I think you cann't find a better breed anywhere.

However, when my last one died, I didn't replace her. I was tired of ear and tail cropping---and with all the animal do gooders without enough brains to blow their noses pushing anti-cropping legislation everywhere, it was getting to be a real problem with shows, working, puppy sales.

And, I was getting tired of the "Oh, they're vicious, turn on their owners, attack and kill anything they see.......bullcompost."(You get a little of that with GSD's, but NOTHING like you do with Dobes.

I had had all colors in my kennel,(black, red, blue, fawn) and was fond of fawn color. So I looked into Weimaraners---I'd worked with a few training before, but never owned one. Well, after I got Enka, there were many times that I thought to myself that without the ears cropped or the typical Dobe markings it is really hard to tell a fawn Dobe from a Weim---especially if you are more than a few feet away. As for temperament, intelligence and working ability they are completely the same.

I got Enka and Dixie just about the same time. Enka was about 2 months older, got her first, did puppy training then brought Dixie in. I couldn't have made a better choice, the two breeds are very complimentary to each other.

Doberman is one of the best breeds you can possibly pick in my opinion. The croppinng is a lot of added work though and difficult for someone who isn't experienced with it.

Before you make your final decision, look at Weimaraners too.

Here are my Weimaraner boards:

European Weimaraners

MSN Weimaraners

Are you really asking this question?

Hmm, should I buy a Porsche 911 Carrera or Chevrolet Corvette?